at least 20 people arrested opposing “Russian-inspired” law

Police tried to disperse protesters outside parliament in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi as the government pushed ahead with a controversial “Kremlin-inspired” law on foreign influence that the European Union warns could defeat its application for membership.

Opposition politicians had called for an all-night protest to prevent MPs from approving the law during a committee hearing on Monday morning. Around 1,000 people attempted to block the entrances to Parliament before police intervened. At least 20 people, including two American citizens and a Russian national, were arrested during scuffles, Interior Ministry officials said.

Video footage appears to show a group of police officers beating a protester. Riot police have already used tear gas, stun grenades and water cannons against protesters.

Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the gatherings.

IRAKLI GEDENIDZE/Reuters

Georgia, a country of 3.7